Fears over car parking loss for Petworth skate park are allayed

Roger Hanauer, Chris Kemp and Michael Peet,, discuss the plans to build a skatepark in Petworth

Published:07:05Saturday 18 February 2017

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Fears that plans for a skate park in part of Petworth’s town centre Pound Street car park will mean a loss of car parking have been allayed.

Chichester District Council’s (CDC) cabinet agreed to the use of part of its car park subject to recovering lost parking through the redrawing of parking bays.

The Petworth Business Association (PBA) had objected to the plan because members feared the loss would impact on business in the town.

But on Thursday Michael Peet told town councillors, in talks with CDC the PBA, Petworth Vision Group and the town council a scheme which would actually increase the number of parking spaces, had been produced.

“I don’t see any reason to believe we will be down in space despite having a skate park there as well,” he said.

“I want to emphasise the youth of this town and the surrounding villages where there are 700 young people who potentially could use the skate park, deserve the facility and we need to deliver it because it is 20 years late. If anybody says this is a stupid place to put it because we are losing space, we need to put them right about the facts.”

Mr Peet said a public meeting would be organised to explain the proposal and the new car parking.

“We need to have a charm initiative with the few residents affected and will do our damnedest to make sure they are not affected.”

Chairman Chris Kemp said the new plans would benefit everyone: “The car park will be better modelled, better for disabled people, mothers and toddlers, more space, electric points and the skate park.”

Roger Hanauer said he was hoping the town council could engage a planning consultant to help prepare and submit plans for the skate park.

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